If Vagina Had Teeth: The Shona Rainmaking Ceremony in Western Mozambique
Local title
Kui vagiinal oleks hambad: Šona vihmategemisstseremoonia Lääne-Mosambiigis
Title in Russian
Kui vagiinal oleks hambad: Šona vihmategemisstseremoonia Lääne-Mosambiigis
Director
Liivo Niglas, Frode Storaas
Country
Estonia
Year
2009
"Ritual reversals" or "rituals of rebellion" are concepts used for mock rituals performed in Southern and Eastern Africa. During fertility rituals, like rain making ceremonies, women in their songs and dances demonstrate obscene behaviour while they behave like men.
These are secret performances open strictly for elderly men and women. Still, we were invited to record the rain making ceremony in the land of Chief Chassuka, Manika Province in Mozambique in order to document the ritual for the younger generations. These rituals are a fading tradition probably due to the special character of the songs and dances.
Introduction by Liivo Niglas
Director
Liivo Niglas, Frode Storaas
Runtime
Language
Shona
Subtitles
Estonian, English